The cool vibe given off by the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle is love bug turned uber modern with a touch of masculine in 2015 too. While this car offers a certain persona and it’s just the right oomph you might want to give out, the truth is the Beetle is great behind the wheel and is a sturdy, hearty car for any driver.
Since its introduction way back when Truman was president actually, while the price tag has risen over the years, the Volkswagen folks are saying that this is the least expensive Beetle that has been on the market for some time, depending on trim.
Competition includes the Ford Focus and the Mazda 3, but nothing can really compare with the Volkswagen Beetle since it just seems to have a way to make folks smile when they see you coming. After all, it’s cute and a throwback in some ways to the good old days of peace and love, a la the ’60s generation. However, don’t be fooled, because this 2015 Volkswagen Beetle is peace and love, but of a 21st century kind and there have been some notable changes like the new front-drive chassis for example. A shout-out must also go to the fact that while many women love this car, the latest introduction is also meant to appeal to the man as well. This has been done by a lower roofline and a noticeably more vertical windshield.
You can choose the Beetle in a coupe or convertible version with three engine options, but note that the TDI diesel is no longer available in 2015. There is also a new trim line available on the convertible and coupe called the Classic. The Classic stands out with unusual cloth upholstery on the inside and it is a six-speed automatic.
On the base Beetle you get a CD player with an auxiliary input jack, a leather steering wheel, 17-inch wheels and split-folding rear seat, heated front seats and that cool glove box like in the Beetle’s of old. For audio/techno goodies, you get Bluetooth, iPod connect and upgrades come with navigation, premium audio and a sunroof.
On the Beetle TDI Clean Diesel, it’s all the base features with the addition of 17-inch alloy wheels and an interior and exterior chrome trim package.
The Beetle R-Line, which was last year’s Turbo, has a special R-Line exterior styling and standard features include all the goodies from the base trim as well as the 2.0-liter turbo gas engine, 18-inch wheels, rear spoiler and cool sport seats. For upgrading, you can add a navigation system, sunroof and even a Fender audio system.
On the Convertible Beetle, you get much the same as the features on the hardtop, but additional standard features include power-adjustable heated side mirrors, cruise control and ambient lighting with upgrade options like 18-inch alloy wheels, a navigation system, premium audio and keyless capabilities and a push-button start.
Under the hood, there are some choices. The 1.8-liter turbo four gives out 170 horsepower and the Beetle TDI Clean Diesel has 150 horsepower with 236 pound-feet of torque. For faster driving, the 2015 Beetle R-Line is your car with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine offering 210 horsepower. As well, you can choose in most cases from either the five- or six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Safety on the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle is the standard safety features like front, side, and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with stability control and active headrests. If you opt for Bluetooth as an option or choose a trim with it standard, this feature gives you the hands-free phone capability and the rearview camera on some of the trims is also an excellent option.
There is plenty of room inside this 2015 Beetle and you get a straightforward design that is easy to navigate the buttons and knobs. There is plenty of leg and head room in the front, but no leg room in the back seat at all. Surprisingly there is quite a bit of trunk space even in the convertible option with 15.4 cubic feet in the hardtop and the seats fold and lay flat, which gives you the added 30 cubic feet if needed.
Also, look out for the cute little storage spaces nooks in the front seat for stowing items including what is called the kaeferfach box. Overall, you will find a number of small, but useful stowaway places as needed.
The convertible also opens in a smooth 9.5 seconds and closes in 11 seconds and you can open and close the top at speeds up to 31 miles per hour and the detachable wind guard can be stowed in the trunk.
Driving the 2015 Volkswagen Beetle is a lot of fun as it handles well and takes the corners with confidence while also rolling onto the highway with a certainty that makes this 2015 love bug live up to its name.
Should You Need to Know: The American Volkswagen Beetle options have a little bit thinner glass than the European models and due to this are a bit noisier with wind and engine noise in the R-Line a bit more pronounced.
Miles Per Gallon: In the 2015 Beetle Convertible 2.0T R-Line that I drove it came in with 23 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway.
Cost: The 2015 Beetle Convertible 2.0T R-Line had a price tag of $35,915.
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